An unjustified attack on guest workers

A letter to the editor directed to me as a response to my comments that were requested by a local paper provided a weak and unsubstantiated defense for the CNMI Department of Labor’s unfair labor policies and practices. But worse, it represented another unjustified attack on the guest workers.

More shameful is the fact that Cinta Kaipat wrote the letter in her official capacity as Deputy Secretary of the CNMI Department of Labor, a government agency. Since last year she has publicly made hostile remarks and generalizations about the CNMI guest workers. Many advocates, guest workers, attorneys, and public officials consider some of the remarks as extremely inappropriate, and even racist. She has made it very clear that she does not appreciate or respect the foreign contract workers. In December she was quoted as saying, “Foreign workers who can’t stand the local labor system can leave.” She made hostile generalizations in an antagonistic and uniformed analysis of H.B. 16-86 that was also published in the local papers. Again, in the public letter that she addressed to me, she repeatedly attacked the integrity and honesty of the guest workers.

I question whether a person who has made as many negative and hostile remarks against the guest workers as the Deputy Secretary has should be employed by a department that determines their status, and makes important decisions that affect their livelihood and survival.

It is clear that the Department of Labor needs to be investigated. There are serious questions with DOL policies including the practice of notice of hearings by publication; shifting the responsibility of enforcing administrative orders to those who are the victims that have been cheated by violating employers; forcing guest workers with pending claims to depart, or denying them work authorizations; having appeals heard by the same hearing officer who heard the original case; restrictions on employees’ immediate family members remaining in the CNMI; and allowing an unofficial department “volunteer” to hear cases, speak on behalf of a government agency, and draft policy.

A public apology is owed to all of the CNMI guest workers by the Deputy Secretary and by the Department of Labor, the government department that she represented when she made the hostile generalizations and improper, hurtful statements.

All guest workers with labor cases or problems can seek assistance from the federal ombudsman’s office if they cannot afford a private attorney. The phone number is 322-8030. The office is at the Mariana Heights II Building, Suite 203, Middle Road.

A point by point response to Ms. Kaipat’s letter to the editor will be sent to the Director of the Department of Labor, Mr. Barry Hirshbein, and will be posted on the website Unheard No More!
[B] Wendy L. Doromal[/B] [I]via e-mail[/I]